The winter storm warning for East Tennessee has been allowed to expire.

TEMA says Gov. Bredesen declared a Level 5 State of Emergency around noon Friday, as a large winter storm moved into Tennessee. That declaration was reduced to Level 4 around 1 p.m. Saturday, according to the TEMA Web site.

Here's what TEMA says about a Level 4 State of Emergency:

This level may be declared when there is a potential or likelihood of an emergency developing or worsening. The decision to augment the Operations watch-point staff establishes this level of activation. TEMA Operations and Communications Branch performs more frequent monitoring. This level also may represent a period of decreased staffing at the end of an emergency. This status also describes an administratively-continued emergency period remaining from the Governor's declaration of emergency or proclamation (no longer than 60 days without extension) when waivers of law are still required for response or recovery.

For more on what a state of emergency means, including information about the different levels of emergency, CLICK HERE.

The massive storm has caused deep snow in the Great Plains and has caused forecasters to post storm advisories from Arizona through Virginia.

WREG-TV in Memphis reported rain and sleet was falling as commuters went to work Friday morning. There were no major traffic-related problems at dawn.

Most city and county school systems across the state were closed and, uncommonly, the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee-Martin canceled Friday classes.

Temperatures across the state were at or near freezing Friday morning.

The National Weather Service posted winter storm warnings statewide.

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Information from: WREG-TV, http://www.wreg.com/

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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National Weather Service issues winter storm warning for East Tenn.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow, which is in effect from 1 PM Friday to 4 PM EST Saturday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.

Timing: light snow is expected to begin falling on Friday afternoon, and increase in intensity through Friday evening. The snow may be heavy at times Friday night. Snow is expected to begin to decrease through Saturday.

Accumulations: snowfall amounts of 5 to 9 inches are expected across the northern Cumberland Plateau, northeast Tennessee including the Tri-Cities area, southwest Virginia and the central Tennessee Valley including Knoxville. Higher elevations of the Cumberland Plateau and southwest Virginia could see locally higher amounts. In the Knoxville area, temperatures will be very close to freezing, and there could be a period when the snow is mixed with rain or sleet. If temperatures are only a degree or two warmer, snow amounts may be lower.

Impacts: Road conditions are expected to be very hazardous from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Precautionary/preparedness actions: A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. In addition, snowfall intensities will be heavy enough to substantially reduce visibilities at times. Travel is discouraged. If travel is unavoidable, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

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by Pat. Dotson
Location: Nashville.tenn
on Jun 8, 2010 at 12:33 AM

Why? is codes given us such hard time I don,t have a place to live all i need is for codes to leve me along they are saying I going to have to rase my home my home never flooded like that so people please leve me along so I con put my home back codes is out of control they do not have to do to me and other we are goin throut enough beside what code is send us H

State of emergency? You've got to be kidding me? For what??? I find it hard to believe that in 2010 we don't have better technology to get the weather right. If I could live my life over again I would for sure go to school to be a weather person. It's the only job I know of that you can be wrong every day and keep your job.

I live in north knoxville we got almost 4 to 5 inches of snow,the roads that were slushie today have now turn to ice.I think depending of were you live is the difference in how much snow,ice etc. you got.

Where is the huge winter storm?I live in Knox county and while we have some snow on the ground it was nothing like what all the forecasters have been calling for!I personally think they worked everyone into a frenzy for nothing.It is absurd.I went to food city yesterday and was greeted by an empty bread section,no eggs,and a huge crowd.For what?Nothing.The roads are not even as bad as they were with the small system we had a week or so ago.People need to stop acting like the world is coming to an end when they hear the word snow,and any forecaster who compared this to the blizzard of 93 should go back to school.

Came home from 2nd shift last night (11pm) roads from Maryville to home were quite slick, it was icy conditions, alot of slush, and found ice hitting windshield on way home, then rain, then more ice. Tree blocking 1/2 of road on Gregory Road off Maple Lane, Greenback, TN. Still, its bad out, don't drive unless you have too. Roads are icy and back roads aren't salted! I have power here. It didn't do much after I got home as far as snow, but it did continue to pour down sleeting rain. I have not stepped outside this morning, but I can tell, its very icy!!!

My only fear is that wolf has been cried so many times in the past when we were supposed to get "big" snows, that people won't pay attention. I think this may be the real thing though. There is a dangerous situation out there however. There is a whole new generation of young drivers who never drove in snow before. If they go out with a smug attitude, there could be some people hurt. Everyone be sensible and be careful.

Ok this weather should be fun. I can't help it, I love the snow and I love where I live. What could be more awesome than the snow and the mountains. People just don't know what they are missing when they don't live here.

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